Hilarity Ensues: Top 250 Challenge: 136* dang it again

Cinderella Man (2005)

Number 175 on IMDb's Top 250
Nominated by Mick

During the Great Depression, a common-man hero, James J. Braddock--a.k.a. the Cinderella Man--was to become one of the most surprising sports legends in history. By the early 1930s, the impoverished ex-prizefighter was seemingly as broken-down, beaten-up and out-of-luck as much of the rest of the American populace who had hit rock bottom. His career appeared to be finished, he was unable to pay the bills, the only thing that mattered to him--his family--was in danger, and he was even forced to go on Public Relief. But deep inside, Jim Braddock never relinquished his determination. Driven by love, honor and an incredible dose of grit, he willed an impossible dream to come true. In a last-chance bid to help his family, Braddock returned to the ring. No one thought he had a shot. However Braddock, fueled by something beyond mere competition, kept winning. Suddenly, the ordinary working man became the mythic athlete. Carrying the hopes and dreams of the disenfranchised on his shoulders, Braddock rocketed through the ranks, until this underdog chose to do the unthinkable: take on the heavyweight champ of the world, the unstoppable Max Baer, renowned for having killed two men in the ring. Hilarity ensues.

Trivia: Professional boxers played Braddock's opponents. They were told to land their blows as close to Crowe's body as possible. Unfortunately, they sometimes couldn't pull back in time and ended up injuring Crowe. Crowe suffered from several concussions and cracked teeth.

This movie was the typical rags to riches fight movie that you usually see, except that this one really happened. James J. Braddock did indeed beat Max Baer to win the heavyweight championchip of the world in 1935. (An interesting note is that Max Baer, Jr. is also well known, he played Jethro on the Beverly Hillbillies) It is nice to see a movie where the hero is really a nice guy. Braddock truely cares for his family and fought to provide from them and keep them together during the Depression. Thanks Mick.